Here are three things to watch at Dems’ convention

Thousands of Massachusetts Democratic Party insiders are massing in Worcester this weekend, a month after their Republican counterparts sought to sort out who will be on this fall’s ballots.

The MassGOP set a low bar for a smooth state convention. Theirs was marked by some chaos and administrative delays. Delegates at one point booed a moderator as voting was underway for lieutenant governor candidates, and GOP candidate for governor Mike Minogue ended up paying for an open bar. In the weeks since, Minogue has used his 70% convention win to try to muscle fellow candidate Brian Shortsleeve out of the September primary.

There’s less infighting expected with the Democrats, at least out in the open. Offstage and behind closed doors might be another matter. They’re the party in power, and many officeholders don’t face primary challengers.

Party leaders are still incentivized for their convention to go off without a hitch: They’re hoping to land the 2028 Democratic National Convention, and officials recently hosted top Democrats for a tour of Boston’s event venues. (That follows through into this fall’s elections: Having a Democratic governor in place during the national convention isn’t the sole deciding factor for decision-makers, but it probably helps.)

Below are three things to watch for as the convention, which kicks off Friday night and runs through Saturday. A livestream will be available, a party spokesperson confirmed earlier this week, and more than 6,000 delegates, volunteers and campaign staffers expected to attend in-person.

Excitement for Maura Healey. Is the thrill gone? Even as the Boston Globe and CommonWealth Beacon have documented some disappointment among a smattering of unions and environmentalists who may see her as Charlie Baker 3.0, Healey isn’t facing any serious challengers from her left and most polls, with one recent exception, show her favorability rating is doing fine. But the main question is less about the grumbling and more about how much enthusiasm and energy she can draw this fall amid other races and likely ballot questions.

Ed Markey vs. Seth Moulton. Saturday’s marquee event. Markey and Moulton delegates have tangled in the caucuses leading up to the convention, but Moulton is expected to get the 15% he needs to get on the September ballot. Party insiders and outsiders alike actually put him getting anywhere between 15% to 40%. Whatever the number is, it’s the one to watch and it depends on how many delegates show up. The other thing to keep in mind: Anybody who emerges with strong support from a convention of mostly insiders does not mean they’ll see that translated into a primary win, as past rivals of Bill Galvin, the secretary of state, can attest. Senate candidate speeches and nominating votes are expected to start at 11:30 a.m., assuming the convention remains on schedule, according to the Moulton camp.

What will Diana DiZoglio do? When the auditor spoke at last year’s convention, she said “some of our party establishment’s top officials have been acting like the letter ‘D’ next to their name on that ballot stands for dictator, and not for Democrat,” per Politico. That comment is likely still ringing in the ears of Beacon Hill leaders, in addition to the catchy song “Where the Hell is My Audit,” which DiZoglio debuted earlier this year. She’s continued to tune up House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka with the song, most recently singing it at the Teamsters annual gala. Whether she takes the stage with a song or a speech, and what she says, will be closely watched by rank-and-file Democrats and top officials.

To paraphrase a MBTA adage, if you’re at the convention and see something, say something. I can’t make it as I’m solo parenting this weekend. I hope it goes better than last time, when I let slip the truth about the Tooth Fairy to my 4-year-old. Send along your convention observations here: [email protected].

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9:00 | Gov. Maura Healey joins a press conference to unveil the original FIFA World Cup trophy. | Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, Landsdowne Room, 9 B St., Needham

9:30 | Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joins Brighton Marine and the city’s Office of Veterans’ Services to announce a new partnership supporting local veterans and their families. | Brighton Marine Health Center, 77 Warren St., Brighton

3:30 | Attorney General Andrea Campbell gives remarks at Our Sisters’ School's annual Festival of Arts and Achievement. | Our Sisters’ School, 145 Brownell Ave., New Bedford

7:30 | Gov. Maura Healey participates in the Massachusetts Democratic State Convention opening night with Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, joining delegates and "outlining campaign priorities and vision for Massachusetts," according to Healey's reelection campaign. After they speak, delegates plan to vote to officially nominate Healey and Driscoll as the endorsed Democratic ticket. | DCU Center, Worcester

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LURING AI JOBS: Massachusetts officials are taking advantage of the threat of a California billionaire tax, and trying to lure AI jobs to the Bay State. Gov. Maura Healey’s recent trip to San Francisco including meetings with investors and executives at Anthropic PBC and Y Combinator. – Bloomberg

SENATE AUDIT RESOLUTION: After a Supreme Judicial Court order, senators adopted a resolution saying they’ll provide records to Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s office while saying they were doing it voluntarily and they may still object to other audits. Meanwhile, the House is taking a different approach. – GBH News

METHANE EMISSIONS: Regulators with the state’s Department of Environmental Protection are reviewing rules that require gas companies to meet annual limits on methane emissions, and considering whether to tighten them. – CommonWealth Beacon

ICE GUIDANCE: The Healey administration released guidance for colleges, schools and day care centers about interactions with federal agents and warrants in response to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies. – State House News Service

BOSTON SUIT DISMISSED: The Trump administration lost a court battle with the city of Boston. A federal judge dismissed the administration’s lawsuit over the Boston Trust Act, which dates back to 2014. The Trust Act limits Boston police officers in cooperating with federal immigration enforcement officials on civil matters, while allowing collaboration on public safety issues like human trafficking and child exploitation. – NBC Boston 

WORLD CUP PLANNING: The MBTA won’t release its full plan for the World Cup until just a few days before the first match at Gillette Stadium. A top T official said at a meeting Thursday that the full transportation plan is on the agenda for the June 11 board meeting. – Boston Business Journal

BODY CAM POLICY: Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden is looking to develop a new policy covering the release of police body camera footage as he faces criticism over his office’s handling of manslaughter charges against a Boston cop. To gather input on the policy, Hayden met with dozens of local elected officials and community leaders behind closed doors. – WBUR

RUTLAND LATEST: Sheriff Lew Evangelidis is offering to send in sworn deputies and civilian volunteers to help Rutland staff Fourth of July celebrations. Rutland officials are facing criticism for canceling the celebration, citing staffing issues, and not returning donations for the fireworks. – NBC Boston

How will Boston navigate federal policy challenges and economic woes in a time of political uncertainty? What are the challenges and opportunities facing Boston in 2026? Kicking off a blockbuster summer featuring the World Cup and America 250, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joins MASSterList columnist Jon Keller for an in-person fireside chat at the MCLE Conference Center in Downtown Crossing. Register here.

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KELLER AT LARGE: 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV. Political analyst Jon Keller's guest is Dan Kennedy, journalism professor at Northeastern University. They discuss the state and future of local newspapers, including the Boston Globe, and local and national threats to free speech.

@ ISSUE SIT DOWN: 9:30 a.m., NBC 10. Reporter Matt Prichard interviews Rep. John Moran and Boston City Councilor John FitzGerald on location at the troubled area known as Mass and Cass.

ON THE RECORD: 11 a.m., WCVB. The guest is Boston City Councilor Sharon Durkan.

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